By Clare Dear, Postmedia News

Originally published: December 1, 2011

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Tokyo • Nissan is going to inject extra energy into its product lineup with the announcement here that Nismo — a Japanese performance-tuning enterprise that has operated (until now) outside the Nissan family — will be embraced within the corporate structure.

Nismo has been tweaking Nissan products for 30 years and has become a very successful brand, especially here in Japan. For example, this past racing season, Nismo teams won every racing series it entered. Now, Nissan chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn wants that DNA injected into his company’s product lineup and is building the firm a new facility adjacent to Nissan’s research and development operations to make that goal a reality.

To demonstrate what the closer relationship can do, Ghosn introduced the Nismo Juke concept, a hint of what future Nismo-massaged vehicles will look like. Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada’s director of corporate planning and business strategy, says plans for Nismo include a range of vehicles — and he adds that he is looking “real seriously” at putting the Juke version in his dealers’ showrooms. Forsyth says the focus of Nismo will not just be tuner and performance parts, but complete vehicles such as the Juke concept. Such vehicles will be integrated into the product portfolio, taking performance and driver experience to new heights without going to the extreme, all-or-nothing level of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG models, for example.

This approach is in tune with the changes made to the Juke, a sporty compact crossover that’s already creating its own market segment with more than 232,000 units sold globally. Shinji Sasaki, chief designer in Nissan’s global design centre and the creator of the current Maxima sedan, was charged with giving the production Juke some Nismo flavour. He says the changes made to the vehicle reflect the direction he will be taking with other Nismo versions of Nissan products. Specifically, Sasaki says exterior changes that improve a vehicle’s aerodynamics and stability at speed will be one part of a Nismo makeover. Inside the cabin, controls, gauges, seats and other elements will be upgraded to make them more driver-oriented, enhancing the driving experience by adding a more sporty flair. And, naturally, engines will be tweaked to a higher level of performance.

In the case of the Nismo Juke concept, its aerodynamic efficiency — and overall look — has been improved with a body kit that includes a new grille pattern, revised lower fascias front and rear, wider fenders and side sill skirts. The tailgate spoiler has been modified by the addition of side elements to control airflow more efficiently, while the shape of the exterior mirrors has been altered to enhance aerodynamic performance and reduce front and rear lift without increasing drag.

The chassis has been lowered and stiffened using parts that will be available from an expanded Nismo parts catalogue. The new macho exterior is completed with the addition of stylish 19-inch alloy wheels. Nismo tuning experts have also worked some magic on the 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo gasoline engine, resulting in more power and higher response and performance. Inside, Sasaki points out several changes that better interact with the driver’s senses. The tachometer, for example, has a gauge face and needle that are illuminated in red because, he says, “that instrument is very important to the driver.”The look and feel of such items as the steering wheel, pedals, gauges, shifter knob and door trim have been redesigned to provide a greater sense of involvement for the driver. The special racing-style front seats are trimmed in soft charcoal suede with contrasting red stitching for a very sporty look.

Nismo president Shoichi Miyatani says the changes his team plans to make to future products will bring “new levels of individuality to mainstream Nissan cars such as the Juke. The future for Nismo is to develop premium sport designs for an ever-widening range of customers. Our forthcoming range of cars will be just as accessible and innovative as every Nissan product, but with added Nismo energy they will be even more fun to own and drive.”

Andy Palmer, executive vice-president of product planning, marketing and communication for Nissan, said in a roundtable chat here that the rebirth of Nismo is an exciting step forward for his company.

“Nismo will go global,” Palmer promises. “It is a genuine racing asset — race car company meets car company — and its genuine DNA will be put into our production models.”

Palmer says the global sales success of the Juke proves consumers are looking for something different. “We can’t make enough of them.” As for the vehicle’s polarizing styling, he adds, “I’m cool with the fact some people hate it.”

Nissan will continue to stay true to its roots, Palmer says, executing innovative products and design such as the Juke and the zero-emissions Leaf, while also building products that generate excitement, such as the scorching hot GT-R supercar. “I can’t think of another Japanese automaker that could bring you both those types of vehicles, the Leaf and the GT-R.”

And that commitment won’t change, Palmer says. “Not while I’m in this chair. Nissan products will not be boring during my watch.”

Pointing to the Nismo Juke, Palmer says it’s an answer for customers looking for a vehicle that’s beyond the norm. “It’s energetic, distinctive and highly desirable.”

Other Nissan introductions here also included a Nismo concept version of the Leaf, as well as a trio of futuristic exercises. The ESFlow is an electric two-seater that can accelerate to 100 kilometres an hour in less than five seconds. The Townpod EV is a look at future crossover design, with interior space features that will suit business or family needs. Finally, the PIVO3 is the latest generation of a series of small, electric concepts

This three-seater features a centre-positioned driver’s seat, with the passenger seats located on either side. Its technological features include a system that lets the car find its own parking spot, then returns to pick you up when summoned by a smartphone. Mechanically, the PIVO3’s four-wheel steering enables it to turn around in less than two metres — truly a boon for drivers having to cope with the intense traffic here.